Umukuuka Mayatsa Pays Tribute to Prof. Peter Simbi’s Son, Hails Simbi’s Contribution to the Restoration of Inzu Ya Masaaba

By Our Staff Reporter

Namisindwa District | 7 September 2026.
The leadership of Inzu Ya Masaaba (IYM) has joined the Bawambwa community, the education fraternity, family members and friends in mourning Ben Makoyi Otimgiu, son of Prof. Peter Simbi, remembering him as an educator, family man and community member whose life was built around learning, responsibility and service.

A delegation from Inzu Ya Masaaba, headed by Prime Minister Hon. Mathias Nabutele, attended the funeral proceedings and delivered a condolence message on behalf of Umukuuka IV Mayatsa Joram Khamboson and the wider cultural institution.

In his message, the Umukuuka expressed sympathy to Prof. Peter Simbi, the children and grandchildren of the deceased, the extended family and the entire Bawambwa community following the loss of Ben.

The cultural leader also used the occasion to recognise Prof. Simbi’s contribution and continued support towards the restoration and strengthening of Inzu Ya Masaaba. He thanked the Bawambwa community for maintaining unity among its members in Uganda, Kenya and the diaspora, describing cultural solidarity and respect for family and clan institutions as important foundations for preserving Bamasaaba heritage.

A life built around education
Ben Makoyi Otimgiu was born on 26 December 1970 to Prof. Peter Simbi – Muwambwa Soi and Acayo Bentolina.

His life story reveals an educator who continuously sought to improve his knowledge and professional qualifications.

Ben began his education at Ali Primary School in Pakwach, studying from Primary One through Primary Seven before sitting his Primary Leaving Examinations. He later attended Pakwach Secondary School for lower secondary education and proceeded to Nam High College, where he undertook further secondary studies.

His calling, however, was education.
He enrolled at Paidha Primary Teachers’ College, where he qualified with a Grade III Teachers’ Certificate. Rather than allowing his first professional qualification to mark the end of his studies, Ben continued upgrading his education.

He subsequently studied at Uganda Martyrs University and later attended Mountains of the Moon University, where he earned a degree in Primary Education. His pursuit of knowledge continued with postgraduate studies at Kampala International University.

This steady academic progression from primary teacher training to university and postgraduate education—became one of the defining characteristics of his life.

Teacher, head teacher and mentor
Ben served in Uganda’s education sector as a primary school teacher and later as a head teacher.

His career placed him in positions where he was responsible not only for teaching children but also for providing leadership within the school environment. Through those roles, he contributed to the education and development of young people and worked alongside fellow teachers and administrators.

For Ben, education was more than obtaining certificates. His own determination to keep studying demonstrated the message that learning can remain a lifelong undertaking.

Every educator leaves part of his legacy in people whose lives he has touched. Ben’s contribution therefore survives not only through his immediate family but also through former pupils, colleagues and the school communities in which he worked.

Alongside his professional career, he pursued business interests, including involvement in fisheries. This reflected another side of his life—the desire to work, create opportunities and support his household beyond his formal employment.

A proud Muwambwa and Bamasaaba cultural son
Ben’s life was also connected to his Bamasaaba identity and the Bawambwa community.

Family records indicate that in 2000, he underwent the traditional Bamasaaba rite of circumcision, commonly understood within the community as fulfilling an important cultural obligation and passage into adulthood.

His funeral therefore brought together more than relatives and professional colleagues. It became an occasion for the wider cultural family to stand with the bereaved and reaffirm the bonds that connect Bamasaaba communities across geographical boundaries.

Inzu Ya Masaaba’s participation reflected the traditional principle that bereavement is not carried by the immediate household alone. Family, clan, community and cultural leadership all have a role in accompanying a family through loss.

Prof. Peter Simbi mourns a son
Ben was the son of Prof. Peter Simbi, a respected elder and scholar who has lived in the United States for many years after leaving Uganda in the early 1970s.

Despite living abroad for decades, Prof. Simbi has maintained links with his homeland, cultural heritage and community.

The death of Ben is therefore not only a personal loss to his immediate household but a deeply painful moment for his father and the wider Simbi family.

In its condolence message, Inzu Ya Masaaba particularly acknowledged Prof. Simbi’s continued interest in the affairs of his people and his contribution towards efforts aimed at restoring, preserving and strengthening the cultural institution.

Prime Minister Mathias Nabutele conveyed the Umukuuka’s appreciation to Prof. Simbi and assured the family that the cultural institution stood with them during their period of mourning.

Father of a large family
Beyond his public and professional responsibilities, Ben’s greatest and most personal legacy is his family.

He was a father of 12 children—eight sons and four daughters. The family records name his children as Sunday Donald, Owachgiu Derrick, Lusike Nancy, Nambozo Sonia, Mungujakisa Ronny, Tegopamungu Rogers, Aloci Gift, Yoacel Maxwell, Campara Charles, Mugisu Felix, Mukite Ruth and Tsebeni Alpheous.

One son predeceased him, while the surviving children continue the family lineage.

Ben also leaves behind seven grandchildren.
His death therefore touches several generations: a father has lost a son, children have lost their father, grandchildren have lost their grandfather, and a wider community has lost an educator and cultural son.

According to the family account, Ben had generally lived an active life while managing health complications that arose from time to time.

His condition became considerably more serious on 11 August 2026, when he developed complications involving bleeding and was rushed to Lacor Hospital in Gulu, where he received medical attention.

He was subsequently discharged and expected to return for review, but his health deteriorated again while at home. He was taken back to hospital as his condition became critical.

At approximately 3:00 a.m. on 29 August 2026, Ben Makoyi Otimgiu passed away at Lacor Hospital.

He was 55 years old.

Community gathers for final farewell

Funeral ceremonies culminated on 7 September 2026 at Busawule Cell, Busantsa Ward, Magale Town Council in Namisindwa District.

The programme brought together family members, neighbours, friends, political and community leaders, members of the education fraternity, in-laws, the Bawambwa community, religious leaders and representatives of Inzu Ya Masaaba.

The gathering demonstrated the different worlds Ben had connected during his lifetime—family, education, enterprise, culture and community.

Umukuuka calls for unity among Bawambwa

The condolence message delivered by the IYM Prime Minister also carried a wider message about cultural unity.

Umukuuka Mayatsa thanked members of the Bawambwa community for remaining united and maintaining their cultural connections across Uganda, Kenya and the diaspora.

At a time of bereavement, the Umukuuka emphasised the importance of families and clans standing together and passing their identity, values and history to younger generations.

The tribute recognised that cultural institutions remain strongest when their foundation—the family, lineage and clan—is united.

Ben Makoyi Otimgiu’s journey can be traced from a schoolboy in Pakwach to a professionally trained teacher, university graduate, head teacher, businessman, husband, father and grandfather.

Whenever another qualification was possible, he pursued it. Whenever greater professional responsibility came, he accepted it. Through teaching, he participated in one of society’s most important responsibilities: preparing another generation for life.

His death brings that personal journey to an end, but not the influence created along the way.

A teacher continues to live in the knowledge passed to pupils. A father continues through his children. A grandfather remains part of the stories told to grandchildren. And a cultural son remains within the history of his family and clan.

For the Simbi family, those memories will now form an important part of Ben’s enduring legacy.